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UAE Cognita Schools Join 100,000+ Students for Global Be Well Day

by Nausheen
Students from Cognita schools in the UAE celebrating Global Be Well Day 2025 through connection and wellbeing activities.

Students and staff across Cognita schools in the UAE, including the Repton family of schools, Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, Horizon International School, Horizon English School, Ranches Primary School, and Al Ain English Speaking School, joined more than 100,000 students and 21,000 staff, parents, and carers from over 100 Cognita schools in 21 countries on Friday, 26 September 2025 to mark the seventh annual Global Be Well Day (GBWD).

Celebrating the Theme of Connection

This year’s theme, “Connecting”, highlighted the importance of building meaningful relationships with oneself and with others. As part of the celebrations, the Cognita community took part in a global “Be Well Impact Hour”, with each person dedicating an hour of their day to activities designed to strengthen connection and well-being.

Global Be Well Day and the Be Well Charter

Now in its seventh year, Global Be Well Day is a cornerstone of Cognita’s Be Well Charter. The Charter is a six-step framework that addresses both physical and mental contributors to well-being and is informed by international research. The initiative sparks conversations and encourages practical steps to help young people develop healthier habits for life.

Leadership Perspective

David Baldwin, CEO of Cognita Middle East, said:

“Global Be Well Day is a highlight of our academic calendar, bringing our entire Cognita family together across the world. As a group, we are continually guided by the latest research and best practice to ensure that well-being underpins every aspect of school life. This year’s theme of connection is central to how we learn, thrive and grow together, and the day reinforces our shared commitment to supporting the well-being of every student in our community.”

UAE Schools Bring the Theme to Life

Across the UAE, students and staff embraced the theme of “Connecting” through a variety of activities that brought communities closer together.

  • Repton Al Barsha: Pupils across all phases joined Repton Reader’s Connect sessions, wrote letters to reconnect with loved ones, and participated in the 24-Hour Fitness Challenge, collectively covering thousands of kilometres through running, rowing, and cycling. Junior School pupils also attended an inspiring assembly with The Sparkle Foundation to learn about its work in Malawi.
  • Horizon English School: Families came together for sunrise yoga and padel sessions, strengthening community ties through well being-focused activities.
  • Other Schools: Initiatives included a lively Wake Up and Shake Up fitness activity, dog walks on West Palm Beach, and a daily well-being podcast series throughout the week.
  • Horizon International School: A highlight was an online exchange with The Sparkle Foundation’s classes in Malawi, where children from both schools shared songs and dances in a joyful celebration of culture and friendship. This showcased how connection transcends distance.

Strengthening a Culture of Well-being

Global Be Well Day continues to inspire a culture of awareness, empathy, and well-being across Cognita schools worldwide. With a focus on “Connecting”, this year’s celebrations reinforced the importance of relationships, community spirit, and collective action in supporting the holistic well-being of students, staff, and families.

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